CTA 5000-series train cars to begin service on the Pink Line

By Steven Vance On November 9, 2011 · 10 Comments

Mayor Emanuel and Chicago Transit Authority president Forrest Claypool announced Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at the Midway Orange Line station the beginning of revenue service for the 5000-series train cars – they debuted on the Pink Line Wednesday. They’ll show up later on Green Line, with the Red Line after that.

Here’re CTA’s photos from the event:

CTA President Forrest Claypool speaks at the unveiling of new railcars, joined by RTA Chairman John Gates Jr. (back); Vice President, La Pocatiere-Plattsburgh Business Unit, Bombardier Transportation, North America Marc Boucher and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (far right) next to railcar 5055.

Train operator Joseph Anguiano points out some of the new features of the 5000-series train car.

View of new flooring and two wheelchair positions (bike positions?) on the new cars.

View the full photoset. Check out CTA Tattler and ChicagoBus.org for more information.

http://twitter.com/ctatattler CTA Tattler

In a tweet you said: “Aisle-facing seating on new @CTA cars is a good thing. Hong Kong, London, NYC have been doing it fine for years. It makes aisles wider”

I agree wider aisles. I like that. What I’ve been suggesting at CTA Tattler is that the seats should be bench-like, without the molded “butt” dividers. People are just bigger these days, and I’m afraid seats will go unused because some folks will be “spilling over” to the seats n either side of them, forcing more people to stand.

http://www.stevevance.net/planning Steven Vance

I remember you writing about that. A bench allows people to take up the space they need and not 1, or 2 whole spaces.

http://twitter.com/aka60643 AKA60643

I agree on this. I got to try one of the new cars on the pink line recently. It was a chilly day, and people weren’t in full winter gear. Once folks are bundled up, there will be a LOT of wasted space, because it’s a snug fit even for 2 medium-width people in light jackets between those vertical poles. Once we’re fully bundled up for winter, anyone who’s not skinny (or a child) is going to have a tough time sharing one of those spaces.

If they’d go NYC style with the bench seats and minimal vertical poles, it would give us a LOT more usable seating.

http://twitter.com/marisapaulson Marisa Paulson

Do you know if there is any sort of tentative timeline for adding the new cars to other lines? E.g. Adding to the Green Line fleet on x date, Red Line on x date, etc.

http://www.stevevance.net/planning Steven Vance

The CTA will probably not be more specific than “2012″ – the manufacturer’s delivery timeline plays a large part here.
http://www.stevevance.net/planning Steven Vance

The CTA will probably not be more specific than “2012″ – the manufacturer’s delivery timeline plays a large part here.

http://twitter.com/marisapaulson Marisa Paulson

Nevermind–found it here: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/8694232-418/cta-unveils-new-roomier-l-cars-featuring-multiple-security-cameras.html
http://zolk.com Kevin Zolkiewicz

The 1980s called. They’d like their transit seats back.